Virginia Forensics and Crime Scene Degrees

Forensics and Crime Scene Degrees: Virginia Career Colleges

Looking for accredited career colleges, technical schools, and universities in Virginia offering Forensics and Crime Scene degrees. Colleges, universities and career schools offer associate and bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and fields related to forensic investigation and techniques.

Virginia is a great state in which to go to college. Virginia college students enjoy close proximity to Washington, D.C., but also the opportunity to live in a more rural or suburban setting. Virginia is home to many colleges and universities. Virginia is still a surprisingly rural state, with tobacco as the primary cash crop. It was the birthplace of our nation, as the very first European settlement in North America was established at Jamestown in 1607. Virginia is a state of contrasts: not only do you have historic Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg, you also find the home of the Pentagon and of Mae East, the major East Coast internet hub. Whether you enjoy hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, wandering along its beaches, or enjoying a quiet dinner in its many fine restaurants, you are likely to find attending college in Virginia to be an excellent choice.

Virginia Career Colleges: Forensics and Crime Scene Degrees

What is Involved with Crime Scene Technician Training?

The role of a crime scene technician is to ensure that the scene of the crime is uncontaminated during a search and that equally; no evidence is destroyed or inadvertently removed or lost. Meticulous attention to detail and methodical working practices are essential. The knock on effects of errors, omissions, or mistakes can be devastating and catastrophic. While traditional methods of fingertip searches for evidence and fingerprinting are still popular, there are many more highly sensitive tests for all sorts of forensic evidence from body fluids to DNA. These tests have become extremely sensitive, and DNA can now be extracted from minute amounts of blood or sweat. It is crucial that the crime scene is isolated to prevent contamination.

As well as different techniques involved in gathering evidence, you will need to learn about various setting and testing techniques to lift and preserve evidence. Other subjects might typically include: firearms testing for establishing that a particular weapon was used in a crime. If a case goes to court, you may also be expected to draw up a report and give evidence in front of a jury concerning your findings. Training as a crime scene technician generally requires four years of training as opposed to the two, standard science technicians are required to undergo.

What Careers Can I Follow with this Training?

Crime scene technician training is a fairly specific type of education that will prepare you for a narrow range of roles within criminal investigations. The vast majority of crime scene technicians are employed by state or local government agencies.